Significant rise in Afghan civilian deaths

Attacks against Afghan civilians rose in frequency and intensity during the first half of 2010, according to a report released today by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The 3,268 casualties mark a 31% increase over the same period in 2009, the report concluded. The UN said that the Taliban was responsible for approximately 76% of those casualties. Nato meanwhile noted that the UN report found a 64% drop in the number of Afghans killed or wounded by coalition airstrikes.